Side by side
Put a few breeds side by side before you make up your mind.
Pick up to four. The URL updates as you go, so you can send this comparison to whoever you are arguing with.
| Breed |  Chihuahua |  Italian Greyhound |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Mexico | An ancient companion breed depicted in Mediterranean art for over two thousand years, the Italian Greyhound was bred down from larger sighthounds purely for companionship and lap warmth, becoming especially fashionable among European nobility from the sixteenth century onwards. It has never been a working dog; its sprinting instinct is inherited, not trained. |
| Group | Toy | Toy |
| Size | Toy | Small |
| Coat | Smooth short coat or longer soft coat, depending on variety | Short, fine, glossy single coat in black, blue, fawn, red, cream or seal, often with white markings |
| Weight | 1 to 3 kg | 3 to 5 kg |
| Height | 15 to 23 cm | 32 to 38 cm |
| Lifespan | 14 to 17 yrs | 12 to 15 yrs |
| Exercise need | 5/10 | 6/10 |
| Affection | 8/10 | 9/10 |
| Grooming needs | 2/10 | 2/10 |
| Barking | 7/10 | 5/10 |
| Good with children | 3/10 | 4/10 |
| Good with other dogs | 4/10 | 5/10 |
| Trainability | 5/10 | 6/10 |
| Prey drive | 3/10 | 8/10 |
| Copes alone | 3/10 | 3/10 |
| Drool | 1/10 | 1/10 |
| Shedding | 3/10 | 2/10 |
| Flat fit | 9/10 | 8/10 |
| Running cost | €46 / month | €85 / month |
Chihuahua verdict
A tiny, big-hearted toy breed that needs careful handling, dental care and protection from the cold.
Get one if
- · Adult households or those with older, gentle children
- · Owners wanting a portable, affectionate lapdog
- · Flat dwellers with modest exercise needs
Think again if
- · Households with toddlers or very young children
- · Families wanting a robust, outdoor adventure dog
- · Owners unwilling to manage frequent barking
Italian Greyhound verdict
A sighthound in miniature: elegant, affectionate and genuinely fragile.
Get one if
- · Calm households wanting an affectionate, lap-loving companion
- · Owners with a securely fenced garden for sprint sessions
- · Adults or considerate older children who respect fragile bones
Think again if
- · Families with toddlers or very young children
- · Homes with large, boisterous or high prey-drive dogs already in residence
- · Owners wanting a hardy, weatherproof outdoor companion